Shocked dad accepts RMAF son’s death

His son 34, died while on a rigorous 12 km walk as part of his extreme commando training.

KUALA TERENGGANU: Syed Abdillah Syed Abdullah, the father of a Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF) Special Air Force Team (PASKAU) personnel who died while in training, has accepted his son’s death as God’s will.

Syed Abdillah said he did not expect that his son’s decision to switch jobs to join PASKAU as an indication it was going to be his last in the RMAF.

Syed Abdillah is the father of Syed Hassan Rahimi, 34, a TUDM personnel, who died after undergoing a 12 km walk which was part of the tough and extreme commando training conducted in Kampung Sungai Lang and Sungai Kelambu, Selangor, Saturday.

Syed Hassan, the third child of eight siblings was confirmed dead, shortly after receiving treatment at the Banting Hospital.

Syed Abdillah, 62, who accepted his son’s death as God’s will said his son had contacted him last month and was planning to come home here (Terengganu) for a short Chinese New Year holiday.

“Over the phone conversation, my son told me he will not be calling often as he will be very busy with the commando training which ends in April and wanted me to pray for his safety,” he told reporters when met at his house in Kampung Seberang Baroh, here yesterday.

Syed Hassan who served the RMAF for 12 years, had been posted in Perak and Labuan, Sabah before going to Lebanon for a year.

“He was a quiet person who likes helping people and was always in high spirits.

He loved to take up tough challenges, including his wish to join the commando unit. Syed Hassan will be missed by the whole family but we accept his death,” he said.

Syed Hassan’s remains arrived in Terengganu yesterday via helicopter from the Subang RMAF base before being buried at the Tok Ku Tuan Besar Muslim cemetery with full military honours.

He leaves behind wife, Suraya Mohd Nor, 29, and a seven-month-old son, Syed Habib.

- BERNAMA